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THE DESTRUCTION 
of COLUMBIA, S. C. 



A Translation from the German by 
WM. H. PLEASANTS 

of 19th, 20th, 2ist, and 22d Chapters of "Lights 
and Shadows in American Life During 
the War of Secession," by- 
August Conrad. 



litfaUalj^h at 1§a«0h?r, 



ROANOKB, VA. 

The Stonk Printing and Manufacturing Company 

1902. 



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PREFACE. 



THE destruction of the City of Columbia, S. C, in February, 1865, 
by tlie United States troops under command of General Sher- 
man was an act of barbarity which surpasses all similar acts 
which are to be found in the long annals of the world's warfare. 
Its infamy is even greater than that of the sack of Magdeburg in the 
Thirty Years' War by the Imperialists under Tilley ; for Magdeburg was 
taken by storm by the Imperial troops after a most desperate defence ; 
while Columbia, entirely unfortified and undefended, its population con- 
sisting entirely of old men, women and children, was surrendered without 
a blow, under the promise given by the Commanding General of protec- 
tion to persons and property. 

The following description of the destruction of Columbia was writ- 
ten by an eye-witness of that deplorable event, — a German gentleman of 
intelligence and culture. This gentleman had been residing for some 
years in Charleston, in the capacity of a cotton buyer, and after the out- 
break of the Civil War and closing of the ports by blockade, was em- 
ployed as the secretary and treasurer of the largest company engaged in 
the business of blockade-running. If the question is asked : " Why, by 
publishing a detailed description of these horrors, do you revive memo- 
ries of scenes which we would aU gladly forget ? " — the first answer is, 
that it is due to the truth of history. The Southern writers who have 
undertaken to write the history of our Civil conflict have not the ear of 
the world ; the Northern writers of history, not only for general reading, 
but especially of school-books, are notoriously unfair in regard to our 
internal strife. They write with a strong partisan and political bias — 
they misrepresent the motives and principles of action of the South, and 
they err, not simply by the suppressio vert, but also often by the sugges- 
tio falsi. Many books of this class had, by the carelessness or want of 
knowledge of the teachers, crept into our public schools. When the bat- 
tle-scarred Veterans of the South found out that their children and 
grandchildren were being taught some things that they knew to be false, 
every Grand Camp from Virginia to Texas demanded that the offending 
books be banished from our schools ; and they were banished. 

A second reason why this description of the obliteration of Colum- 
bia is published is that very few, except the inhabitants of that ill-fated 
city, have any just conception of the horrors of that night of incendia- 
rism and robbery ; of unchecked license, of insult and every crime, men- 
tionable and unmentionable. In the histories above alluded to I doubt 
whether the destruction of Columbia is mentioned at all ; but if noticed, 



PREFACE. 



it is lauded as one of the heroic actions of their most admired general. 
But if heroic and splendid deeds deserve to be painted in glowing words 
for the admiration and improvement of mankind, surely shameful deeds 
should not be covered up, but displayed in their naked deformity to the 
candid judgment of an enlightened world. It is a deplorable sign of 
the political degeneracy which has invaded the governments of the two 
nations that claim to be the most enlightened on the earth, when we see 
the atrocities of our Civil War pleaded as justification of what is now 
going on the Philippines and South Africa. The cruelties practised in 
the Philippine Islands have been defended upon the floor of the Ameri- 
can Congress by citing similar examples in American warfare, and in the 
English Parliament a member of the government has justified the treat- 
ment of the hapless and helpless Boer women and children by the exam- 
ple of the illustrious American, General Sherman. Who is responsible 
for the sack and destruction of Columbia is a mooted point in the history 
of our Civil War. General Sherman himself might have pleaded the 
orders of his superior officer, as we will presently show; or he might 
more magnanimously have assumed the responsibility ; but he did 
neither: he charged that Columbia was fired by General Wade Hampton I 
This charge is one, which no one, who has any acquaintance with the 
characters of the men and the circumstances of the case, could for a 
moment credit. Notwithstanding the indignant denial of the charge by 
General Hampton, and the further fact that his sphere of duty at that 
time was five hundred miles away at the head of the cavalry of the Army 
of Northern Virginia, this absurd charge finds some believers. 

The truth is that Columbia was destroyed in obedience to orders- 
from Washington, and the proof is found in the following letters, from 
General Halleck to General Sherman, and the latter's reply. I will quote 
only the concluding sentences of General Halleck's letter, as that portion 
alone has any bearing upon the subject before us: 

Headquarters of the Army, 
Washington, December i8th, 1864. 
****** 

" Should you capture Charleston, I hope by some acci- 
dent the place may be destroyed ; and if a little salt should 
be sown on its site, it may prevent the growth of future crops 
of nullification and secession." 

(Signed) H. W. Halleck, 

Chief of Staff. 

And the answer to the above is in the following words : 

" I will bear in mind your hint as to Charleston, and I 
do not think ' salt ' will be necessary. When I move, the 
Fifteenth Corps will be on the right of the right wing, and 
their position will naturally bring them into Charleston first, 



PREFACE. 



and if you have watched the history of that Corps, you will 
have remarked that they generally do their work pretty well. 
The truth is, the whole army is burning with insatiable 
desire to wreak vengeance on South Carolina. I almost 
tremble at her fate, but feel that she deserves all that seems 
in store for her. We must make oM and young; rich and 
poor, feel the hard hand of war, as well as their organized 
armies." (Signed) W. T. Sherman, 

Major-General. 

Here we have under their own hands the proposition of General 
Halleck to utterly destroy Charleston, accepted with savage alacrity by 
General Sherman. Why it was, when Charleston was as defenseless on 
the land side, as Columbia, the route was changed from Charleston to 
Columbia, we will never know until the final day. But as Charleston 
was at this time nearly deserted by its inhabitants, and Columbia was 
crowded to overflowing with refugees from Charleston and the seacoast 
counties, it is possible that General Sherman considered Columbia to be 
the best place for carrying out his long-cherished hope of " wreaking 
vengeance upon South Carolina." In this change of movement the 
redoubtable Fifteenth Corps, noted for its fine work, must have been in 
the rear, and entered Columbia last; but the work of destruction, whether 
^performed by the Fifteenth, or some other corps of his great army, was 
done, even in the estimation of General Sherman, a good judge in such 
.matters, " pretty well." 

Wm. H. Pleasants. 

Hollins, June, 1902. 




Danger Threatening. 



THE condition of Charleston became more and more peril- 
ous by the bombardment, in which the enemy made 
progress by the use of guns, larger and of longer range, 
by renewed attacks with these from the points on the seacoast 
already won ; but particularly by the rapid approach of Sher- 
man's famous army, since it was believed to be their principal 
object to capture and punish the hated city — the " Cradle of 
Rebellion ' ' — which had made so stubborn a resistance and 
prolonged the war by blockade-running. 

With the dreaded capture of the seaports, which was 
now considered only a question of time, the business (block- 
ade-running) must of itself come to an end, and it was now 
to be considered how to secure to the stockholders in the com- 
pany their property. 

Wiien the catastrophe finally came, all the ships were 
lucky enough to be found in foreign ports, and after the ensu- 
ing peace, which was caused by the subjugation of the South, 
were then sold for the account of those interested. The ready 
money on deposit at the banks, and the considerable amount 
earned by the sale of cotton, which was deposited safe in 
iviverpool, must, so far as they had not yet been distributed, 
be paid to the stockholders, and now the duty lay before me, 
in consideration of that determination, to pay out the divi- 
dends by means of checks upon the aforesaid banks, and by 
drafts on our correspondents in England. 

For this purpose I took my position in Columbia. Mr. 
Bee (the president of the company) wished to hold his in 
Charleston as long as possible, and to leave Charleston only 
in the extremest necessity, when his person was in danger, 
after he had carried his family to a place of safety on one of 
his plantations in the country, and sent all the movable and 



8 TEE DESTRUCTION OF COLUMBIA, 8. C. 

indispensable objects of value belonging to his private estate, 
to liis firm, and to the company to Columbia and various other 
places. 

On the 23rd of January, 1865, I left Charleston for the 
last time, filled, it is true, with anxiety and doubt for the 
future, but not imagining that I would never see the place 
again — that I had probably taken leave forever of the people 
and the place that had become endeared to me. 

In Columbia my two colleagues and I had plenty to do in 
bringing up the arrears of business resulting from my long 
absence, and in gratifying our stockholders with their divi- 
dends in Confederate money and sterling exchange. My busi- 
ness fully occupied my time, so that it was scarcely possible 
for me to visit the families that had shown me kindness. 

People had actually no fear at all about Columbia ; on the 
contrary, it was supposed that the property which had been 
sent there was safer than at any other place in the wide Con- 
federacy. 

But misfortune travels fast, and as a thunderbolt from 
the clear sky, at first incredible, but becoming every day more 
certain, came first the rumor and then the certainty that Sher- 
man had suddenly changed his course, and that the army was 
marching in the direction of Columbia. 

A feeling of horror seized upon the population on account 
of this news, which had been, until the attainment of cer- 
tainty, always doubted. If this news was really well-founded, 
the arrival of dreaded Northern troops could be delayed only 
a few days. Many private individuals, but particularly the 
banks and public officials, took flight with the property which 
had been placed under their protection, which was removed, 
so far as the railroads could accomplish it, farther into the 
interior. Madame Rutjes [his landlady] had also run away, 
and I had to seek another lodging. I rented a room and took 
my meals at one of the restaurants still left. However, by 
far the largest portion of the inhabitants could not and would 
not go away — people did not know where, if not here, they 
could be safe — where they could find a place of refuge. 
Besides, it was very questionable whether any great annoy- 
ances would be caused to individuals by the impending capture 
of the place, if indeed that should take place. 



THE DESTRUCTION OF COLUMBIA, S. C. g 

I also wrapped myself in a feeling of security too great, 
and one which, as events proved, was misplaced. I thought 
to myself that the enemy was not my enemy, and that they 
would respect my office, as well as the property found under 
the flag of Hanover. That would certainly have happened if 
the commanding officers had been able to hold the rabble of 
troops in subordination and discipline. But I was now con- 
vinced that they would bring no trouble upon me, and decided 
to remain calmly here to await the course of events. My col- 
leagues left me, and betook themselves farther into the interior 
to the places of refuge of their families. They took a great 
part of the books and papers with them, because their pres- 
ence would probably reveal my participation in a forbidden 
business and bring me annoyance. 

The enemy advanced in force, and his immediate arrival 
in Columbia removed all doubt. On the part of the Confeder- 
ates, there had been hastilj'- assembled several thousand militia- 
men for the protection of the city, and with the bales of cotton, 
at hand and admirably adapted to the purpose, they erected 
barricades. However useless and injurious the proceeding 
might be, it was determined to defend a city, open and 
approachable from every side. 

On the fifteenth of February, 1865, the stroke of fate 
descended. The launching of the thunderbolt caused no 
greater horror than the terrifying sultriness of the atmos- 
phere which preceded it, while fortunately we did not know 
what results would follow. Not even now was there any fore- 
boding of the utter destruction that was to follow, and in addi- 
tion to the anxiety of all, the sight, new and entirely strange 
to everybody, awakened a certain interest. For myself, par- 
ticularly, who had no fear for myself and the peaceful popula- 
tion, the warlike scene had a singular charm. I expected an 
easy, quick capture of the place, the establishment of a garri- 
son of United States troops, and a departure of the army, and 
accordingly a peaceful, well ordered carrying out of these 
movements. 

On the day above named the enemy appeared on the 
heights on the other side of the river, and the busy activity of 
an army of about sixty thousand men with their artillery, 
wagon-train, tents, etc., clearly visible with the naked eye 



lO TEE DESTRUCTION OF COLUMBIA, 8. C. 

from the city, presented a highly interesting sight. It seemed 
as if the troops had chosen this delightful spot, and wished to 
rest from their exhausting marches. The trees, which partly 
covered this plateau in every direction, were cut down, the 
ground leveled, tents were set up, and a bivouac established, 
in which there seemed to be as much activity as in an ant- 
hill, — out of which the flames and smoke of the camp-fires 
ascended — and out of which the drum and trumpet signals 
resounded. It seemed to be a holiday and restday for the 
troops, or, perhaps, a strengthening and preparation for hard 
work ; for they could not know what defensive works were 
opposed to them, after the surrender of the city, which had 
been demanded through a flag-of-truce, was declined. 

It was said that General Sherman, when he arrived at this 
point, in his humorous style, addressed his soldiers in about 
the following words : ' ' Boys, down there lies a pretty town ; 
we have, for a long time, had no good lodging ; there can we 
find it ; and it would be really a good thing, if we took a close 
look at this place, and if it pleases us, take possession of it. 
What say you to that ? ' ' 

The ' ' boys' ' must have agreed to this, and expressed 
their approbation by a unanimous ' ' Hip ! hip ! hurrah ! ' ' 

The day passed entirely undisturbed ; the enemy was able 
to grant that boon in his certainty of victory. On our side the 
barricades were vigorously pushed forward, and time gained 
for removing a great deal of property. 



CAPTURE OF COLUMBIA. 

In the early morniag of the following day the scene 
changed. In consequence of the refusal to surrender, the 
enemy began to bombard the city, without causing any con- 
siderable damage, it is true, but yet putting the population 
into new alarm. I just escaped death, or a severe injury from 
a fragment of bombshell about the size of a walnut, which 
exploded immediately before my feet, and buried itself several 



THE DESTRUCTION OF COLUMBIA, S. C. n 

inches in the ground, and which in spite of my terror, I dug 
up, and still have as a trophy of remembrance of that memor- 
able day, and the danger which I happily escaped. 

The prearranged resistance, the defence of the city by 
the small force was an absurd, nay frightful resolution on the 
part of the Commander of the Confederate forces, and, under 
the existing circumstances, met with no approval from the 
people of Columbia. Whether he had seen the entire futility 
of such defence, or had assented to the desire of the worthy 
old Mayor, the handful of Confederates withdrew, the rail- 
roads carried away their last wagons and implements and the 
Mayor himself went to the enemy's camp, and announced the 
unconditional surrender of the city, requesting at the same 
time for it and its inhabitants respectful treatment and protec- 
tion. 

I had in the meanwhile arranged my affairs as well as was 
possible ; had secured the property belonging to the company, 
which was left behind in a fire-proof safe in the office, had 
packed my private property in a trunk, and committed it to 
the care of my landlord. The most important papers and 
objects of value belonging to myself, my brother, the company 
and the Consulate, I had placed, partly in a large tin box, and 
partly in my different satchels, and also filled a traveling bag 
with clothing and other indispensable articles, in order to keep 
it by me under all circumstances. I carried in a broad leather 
belt around my body under my clothing, the sum of about six 
hundred dollars in gold, which I had reserved for possible 
needs, besides the jewels that I had bought, representing a 
considerable value, and different interest coupons. 

Provided with these treasures and with the royal flag of 
Hanover, I betook myself to the residence of a German lady, 
whom I had known in Charleston, who had established herself 
here in her profession of teacher of music and singing, and 
who, in anticipation of coming events, in her anxiety about 
herself and several little children, had begged me, by virtue of 
my office or in person, to protect her. 

Accordingly I brought my baggage temporarily here, dis- 
played the banner of Hanover from the window, and after I 
believed the office and the residence well protected, I awaited 
here the course of events. 



12 THE DESTRUCTION OF COLUMBIA, S. C. 

Towards midday then the entrance of the enemy's troops 
began. First, there was a detachment of pioneers, which 
removed the obstructions that blocked the broad principal 
street, after the object of the barricades, a bloody street fight 
was happily avoided. All the obstructions in sight were 
thrown aside, and the carriage of the Mayor with him and 
several higher officers drove through the now unobstructed 
streets to the City Hall. The great army followed in seem- 
ingly endless columns, and at its head General Sherman, ener- 
getic and calmly gazing around, with his staff and all the blue- 
coated regiments from the Northwestern States of the 
Union, — infantr}^ cavalry, and artillery. The entire army 
marched into the city and distributed themselves in the differ- 
ent streets ; however, some of them marched through, and 
because the city did not furnish room enough for all, estab- 
lished themselves in the environs. 

I must declare I was delighted at the spectacle — the 
endless, heaving multitude, which had before and behind them 
so long and so difficult marches — the famous and dreaded 
leader with his brilliant staff — the streaming banners of the 
mighty, victorious Union. All this was to me new and highly 
interesting, and I do not regret to have experienced it, even 
though I would like to refuse to recall scenes of like nature. 

The troops were in the highest spirits, sang and were 
noisy by ranks and companies, cast longing and scornful 
looks at the houses, and, doubtless, thought of the treasures 
therein hidden, which might fall to them as good booty. 

The inhabitants of Columbia were submissive in their 
calamity and hardly looked out of the windows at the entrance 
of the enemy. The capture of this city so peaceable — of this 
point so important for the Confederates, filled me with sor- 
row ; the thought of what might result therefrom to it filled 
me with anxiety ; but everybody must patiently submit to the 
inevitable. The streets were entirely deserted by civilians 
and the new masters bore themselves insolently in their brute 
force. 

I will for the honor of General Sherman, and the whole 
United States, assume, that the troops were, in accordance 
with what is customary in all civilized nations and armies, 
ordered not to seize private property, nor destroj^ it — not to 



THE DESTRUCTION OF COLUMBIA, S. C. 13 

molest peaceful citizens, especially ladies, and that the com- 
manding officers really intended to extend to the city officials 
the promised defense — even protection of every person and of 
every private possession, and that, accordingly, the events 
which turned out to the contrary were to be ascribed only to 
the rough rabble as committed against all orders and against 
all decency. But, after all, the responsibility for the outrages 
committed by their underlings belongs to the leaders, and must 
sully their fame, either because Sherman's army was destitute 
of subordination and discipline, or, if these existed, that the 
officers permitted these shameful deeds, jlerhaps in secret took 
pleasure therein.. '; ■ 

After the formal entry into the city had come to an end, 
and the higher officers, i. e., only thegenerals and the colonels 
were quartered in some of the better class of houses which 
had been abandoned by their inhabitants, or which had been 
voluntarily vacated by them for this purpose, the rest of the 
crowd of soldiers seemed to be left entirely to themselves. 
The soldiers bivouaced in the streets, or took possession of the 
liouses left unoccupied, where they established themselves com- 
fortably; but the inhabited houses too were not spared, and, 
next in order, they took lodging on the floors of the houses, 
in the front yards and galleries. So far this was all very well, 
and was rather respectful treatment, inasmuch as inhabited 
rooms were not invaded. 

In the house, too, in which I had taken up my abode, sol- 
diers swarmed, among them several officers, and these were 
somewhat polite, and respected the flag ; and the Captain in 
command gave the assurance that nothing should be taken 
from us and that we must remain quietly in our rooms. But 
the billeting of men in the house was by no means agreeable ; 
the jeering and coarse language of the soldiers, their entire 
behavior, their insolent demands for food and drink to which 
they were not entitled, but in which they were satisfied as far 
as was possible, troubled us very much. Everywhere there 
were unruly, shabby fellows that could not fail to produce 
disgust and terror in everybody, collected from lowest orders of 
humanity, from every nation in the world, among whom, with 
the exception of the Americans from the interior, the Irish 
and Germans were most numerous. To the shame of the 



14 THE DESTRUCTION OF COLUMBIA, 8. C. 

German nation must I with sorrow declare, that its sons that' 
belonged to this army were the foremost and most active in 
the shameful deeds which were afterwards done ; and of this 
fact I had, on many occasions, the opportunity to convince 
myself. 

We could from our windows, that opened on the princi- 
pal street, see the low, savage, and disgusting conduct of the 
troops, and I became immediately convinced that there was no 
good to be expected from them, (and) that the Confederate 
soldiers, nearly all sons of the Southland, were far superior, in 
manners, discipline, and courage, to this assemblage of hire- 
lings. I speak with entire impartiality, and I admit excep- 
tions the more willingly, since such exceptions afterwards 
became known to me from the statements of others and my 
own experience ; but in the main it was a band of thieves and 
robbers, the inferior officers included. 

The gangs of thieves soon, no longer contented with the 
occupation of streets and houses, and with the gifts voluntarily 
offered, or obtained by begging, began, as a preliminary, to 
break open and plunder the stores and warehouses which were 
all closed. Only the money which perhaps they found, and 
the articles of value in gold and silver were taken ; everything 
else was rummaged, torn to pieces, ruined and scattered 
around. It presented a sad appearance, when all conceivable 
objects, which the soldiers could not use, or carry off with 
them, disappeared from the different stores, lay scattered in 
the streets, and were here trodden under foot and destroyed. 
What could and should unlucky owners do against this rude 
violence ? Scorn and vile words were the least that the 
owners, when they arrived at the scene of their ruin, gained 
by protest, by entreaty, especially as an appeal to officers there 
present and co-operating had not the slightest effect. 

Seeing this open plundering, I naturally feared a similar 
fate for the property belonging to myself and the company at 
the places where I had left them. Anxiety and curiosity drove 
me out among the mad throng to inform myself in regard to 
their fate. The somewhat out-of-the-way office I found undis- 
turbed, and besides, the breaking open of a good safe was not 
to be considered an easy matter, which (safe) moreover con- 
tained nothing of special value, after the books and papers 



THE DESTRUCTION OF COLUMBIA, 8. C. 



15 



were removed, and my own valuable papers were placed under 
my own protection. Satisfied on this point, I betook myself to 
my lodgings, and afterwards emptied a closely packed traveling 
bag, in order to fill it, if it were yet possible, with a portion of 
the contents of my trunk, because it seemed to me that the 
things were safer in my immediate vicinity than in the unpro- 
tected room . I had moved only a few steps with the empty 
bag, when I was halted by a mounted soldier, or robber, with 
the order to hand it over to him. My remonstrance that it did 
not belong to him, but to me, that I would like myself to keep 
possession of my property, was not noticed by the hero, but he 
drew and brandished his sabre, with the remark that I must 
not take up his valuable time, but rather save my arm. I 
saw the justice of this good advice, and followed it by giving 
up the bag, now fortunately empty. That was the first high- 
way robbery that I experienced : Worse things were to happen 
to me. 

In my lodgings a new horror awaited me. On entering 
the yard I found the contents of my trunk, so far at least they 
still existed, were scattered around and mixed up with strange 
objects : little negro children were amusing themselves with 
the broken pictures of my relations, were playing with the 
objects which the thieves had thrown aside as useless to them, 
lyetters of my friends, which I had preserved so carefully, 
which contained such cheering words of love and consolation, 
were here in publicity thrown about soiled and torn. Many 
valuable and irreplaceable objects were entirely lost, and a feel- 
ing of sadness at this sudden loss of my property, mixed with 
rage and contempt towards the vile destroyers, took possession 
of me. I gathered the most valuable of the remnants, so much 
as I could take care of, and gave up all that was left to utter 
destruction. My landlady had fared as badly as I ; her per- 
sonal intervention had not availed to protect her own property 
and mine, and the loss of her silverware, which she previously 
had prudently buried in her garden, and which she believed to 
be safe, affected her far more seriously than myself. 

I now hurried back to my temporary quarters and found 
here in the house of Mrs. Volger as yet no trouble, while the 
store situated on the ground floor was already completely 
gutted. I do not know whether we had to attribute the pro- 



1 6 THE DESTRUCTION OF COLUMBIA, S. C. 

tection up to this time, to the flag, or to good luck, or to the 
somewhat respectable garrison, of the house ; however that 
may be, we conceived the hope that we would not be exposed 
to any further danger. 

Madder and madder became the tumult in the streets — 
partly from exultation over the booty they had gotten, partly 
curses and abusive language on the part of those who had 
been deceived in their expectations. The commanding oflBcers 
remained entirely passive amid these open robberies, although 
to some families, who had courage enough to make complaint 
at headquarters of the indignities which were becoming more 
and more outrageous, a guard was given for the protection of 
their houses. But only pro forma, and in every case without 
effect, because either sufficient authority was not given to these 
guards, or because they did not obey ; the most of the houses 
so guarded suffered the common fate. 

I had not been able to interest myself in behalf of the 
families with whom I was on friendly terms, on account of the 
remoteness of their residences : everybody had enough to do 
for himself, and I did not venture to go so far from my 
lodgings. 

Thus the day ended for the noble warriors in pleasant, 
profitable work ; but there was no holiday evening for them — 
the time was too valuable for that — the night was far better 
suited to black souls — it only afforded farther assistance to 
their dark doings. 



A NIGHT OF TERROR. 

Night fell upon the once peaceful city, in which to-day 
wild disorder and uproar reigned : upon the wicked enemy, 
who with so many thousand agents was employed in its utter 
extinction, upon the unfortunate human creatures, who in 
distress and anxiety were looking forward to the future. To 
whom could such a night as this yield rest and refreshment? 

As darkness set in, the soldiers bivouacing in the streets 
kindled fires to cook their suppers. I made to the captain at 
our house a plea in this regard, whether this lighting of fires 



TEE DESTRUCTION OF COLUMBIA, 8. C. ij 

should not be forbidden, since cotton lying around in tbe 
immediate vicinity and various other inflammable materials 
scattered around might easily be set on fire, and a great disaster 
ensue. O sanda simplicitas! How could I expect any con- 
sideration from these men? The answer of the captain, ' ' What 
had I to do with the handling of the troops? — would I place a 
kitchen at their disposal for the preparation of their food?" 
threw me back into proper submissiveness. I dared not stir 
up to personal enmity the man who alone possessed one 
spark of dignity and authority. I invited him and his two 
lieutenants to partake of our frugal supper ; but before it was 
ready a new event arrested our attention : a mighty column of 
fire and smoke was rising at some distance from us : a railroad 
depot on the other side of the city was on fire, and the cotton 
stored there gave abundant nutriment to the flames. This 
calamity too! and just on this daj'! But in the excitement 
this occurrence made little impression, till in the opposite 
direction too, fire broke out, and when a few minutes later a 
house took fire and that too immediately behind the one 
inhabited by us, then the conviction dawned upon us, that 
■it was a prearranged firing of the city of incalculable con- 
sequences, and this thought filled us with horror. 

The fact that the enemy lounging around the burning 
houses made not the smallest effort to extinguish the fire, but 
amused themselves with insulting remarks at the sight, con- 
firmed us in the belief that the city was intentionally fired, 
and from that time until the present day I do not know 
whether the firing done by the rabble was ordered by the 
higher powers or only permitted. 

Under such circumstances the farther spread of the fire 
was inevitable, and we were obliged to leave our dwelling. 
The poor widow to whom no possibility offered itself of saving 
her possessions was in despair. On her knees she besought 
the commander of the men quartered in the house to conduct 
herself and her little children to a place of safety, and through 
his men cause to be transported to a family of her acquaint- 
ance, with whom she wished to take refuge, at least a part of 
her property. In a certain way this man complied with this 
entreaty, which might have softened a stone. He escorted 
rthe unfortunate lady and her children with a few articles of 



1 8 THE DESTRUCTION OF COLUMBIA, 8. C. 

value, principally silverware, which they themselves could 
carry, but any farther assistance he could not and would not 
render. What we could hastily gather up and pack in bun- 
dles, trunks, and boxes, we then carried downstairs, in 
order to remove it either by ourselves, if possible, or relying 
upon the assistance of the captain and his men. But as soon 
as a piece was brought down, the hungry pack seized upon it 
and carried it off, or divided its contents before our eyes, and 
every farther attempt ended with the same result. 

The captain declared that he could do nothing with this 
state of things, and so we were compelled to resign ourselves 
to the inevitable. All that we asked was, that he would extend 
his personal protection to the lady now almost frightened to 
death. I loaded myself with my tin box and different bundles 
and packets, made up from the contents of my traveling-bag 
and from the articles previously brought here, and left the 
house already on fire, with the poor family, whom I had now 
to leave to their fate, and must think about my own security, 
if that were in any way possible. 

Loaded in this way, holding in my hands, under my arms, 
my own property and that entrusted to me, I was determined 
to seek shelter in the house of the family of McCully, friends 
of mine, though a long distance off, yet the nearest place at 
which I could find refuge. I avoided the direct course over 
the principal streets, in which a great throng of noisy, exult- 
ing soldiers was moving, who were amusing themselves with 
setting bales of cotton on fire, I hoped to reach my destina- 
tion without danger on the streets that were more quiet. The 
city presented an inexpressibly horrible aspect. A large major- 
ity of the houses in every direction were now burning, and the 
wind contributed to the rapid spread of the destroying , ele- 
ment. In the houses, on the streets, the infamous rabble 
plundered, destroyed, and raged as the Wild Hunt, just as if 
hell had broken loose. In the midst of all this was heard the 
heart-rending cry of distress of human beings, stripped by the 
robbers, at times, of those personally assaulted or endangered 
by the fire. Here and there these hapless creatures, with 
little children in their arms or with their small possessions, 
were seen running from the devils and the fire, seeking pro- 
tection anywhere, but only to run in their supposed place of 



THE DESTRUCTION OF COLUMBIA, S. C. 19 

refuge upon new destruction. It was horrible ! and the con- 
viction of the poor, perplexed creatures that they could not 
save themselves made the situation only more frightful. 

But nobody could give them help — everybody must be 
thinking of his own fate, of securing his own safety if possi- 
ble; and so I could not trouble myself about what was going on 
around me, but must seek to escape from this scene of horror — 
to follow up the slight beam of hope of perhaps accidental 
betterment. In my course which I took by a wide circuit 
through back streets, I was at first fortunate enough to lose 
only the smaller packets carried under my arm, and which I 
could not hold on to fast enough, inasmuch as they were 
snatched bj^ some soldiers that I met. My hands grasped 
tightly their burden, and several attempts to take it from me 
were unsuccessful, and by rapid flight I escaped the different 
robbers who, strange to say, desisted from an energetic pur- 
suit, and waited for a more convenient opportunity of robbery. 
Such opportunities presented themselves in rich abundance. 

I had almost reached my destination, and found the neigh- 
borhood in which m}'- place of refuge lay as yet entirely spared 
by the fire. , A gleam of hope of relief from anxiety and dis- 
tress grew to a joyful anticipation, that I would at last find 
rest, and in my excited brain arose all the possible plans as to 
where and how I should conceal my property, perhaps bury 
it, in order to escape the search of the sleuth-hounds. 

Then a company of soldiers in regular march under the 
command of a Captain, and which as I supposed was perform- 
ing patrol duty, suddenl}^ crossed my path, and I was child- 
ishly simple enough to look upon them, not as a band of 
thieves, but as protectors of the persecuted. Therefore, I 
slackened my running, which had already exhausted me, and 
met this detachment at a street corner, hoping to finish the 
rest of my journey under their protection, as they turned into 
my street. 

But I was halted and asked by the Captain what I was 
carrying there with me. I told that I was the Hanoverian 
Consul, and declared that my baggage consisted partly of my 
private property, and partly of papers belonging to the Con- 
sulate, saved with great difiiculty from the fire. By that I 
believed I had sufficiently established my character, and might 



20 



THE DE8TBVGTI0N OF COLUMBIA, S. C. 



venture to proceed on my way. But the Captain was inquis- 
itive, and wished to convince himself of the truth of my state- 
ment. Then my baggage was taken away from me, I was 
made to open the box — the whole company rummaged the 
satchels — threw the contents out, one took this, another that — 
and left only the empty box and satchels, the Consulate seal 
and several letters and worthless papers. All protests, all 
entreaties were in vain, and my exclamation of despair on 
account of the great loss, which at the moment of excitement 
I could not repress, was silenced by the threat to shoot me 
dead, if I did not keep quiet. 

Not content with the result of this robbery, the Captain 
demanded also vo,y portemonnaie and watch, and submissive, 
as I was, in view of the violence threatening me, and in order 
thereby to escape a thorough search of my person, I gave him 
what he demanded. 

That, kind reader, was the function of a patrol of the 
famous army of Sherman, which army was attended with the 
general sympathy of the Germans (not of the English and 
French) in their war of devastation against the noble-minded, 
fair-dealing Southerners. That was a specimen of the robber- 
bands — the oJBScers, who were led into the field against a spir- 
ited, but noble enemy, and displayed their bravery in base, 
dastardly robbery, insult and injury of defenceless human 
beings, especially women and children. I refrain from all 
exaggeration in my description and I leave it to everybody to 
form his own opinion ; at the same time I am willing to declare, 
that not all, perhaps only the smaller part of the Northern 
troops was made up of such offscourings of humanity, because 
I later had the opportunity to become acquainted with brave, 
well-disciplined soldiers of the United States. 

I gathered up the box and the few remaining papers, and 
then gradually the full knowledge of my loss dawned upon 
me. The loss. of the valuables entrusted to me by my brother, 
from whom nearly all that he had earned by long years of 
hard work was taken, and who in a foreign land was resting 
in full confidence in the safety of his possessions, affected me 
most. This would certainly be a severe blow to him. 

Furthermore, this loss consisted of a large part of the 
exchange on England, which I had made out for the stock- 



THE DESTRUCTION OF COLUMBIA, S. C. 2 1 

holders of the Company, and which had not been called for by 
them, representing a very large sum. There was for a long 
time no possibility of stopping the payment of the drafts, and 
making them worthless for their unlawful possessors ; in the 
meantime these drafts might already have been paid in good 
faith to the thief and his accomplices. 

The loss of the papers belonging to the Consulate and the 
Company troubled me less ; that of my own, in comparison 
with these above-mentioned, not at all. But I was prostrated 
by the far-reaching loss, and by the impossibility of doing 
anything for the recovery of anything. I experienced this 
night, and once later, how much a man can endure, but also 
how much less frightful is the presence — the certainty of so 
hard a stroke of fate, than the apprehension of it, if one has 
reached the conclusion that he is not able to remedy it, and 
that he must be resigned. 

When I became clearly convinced of the fact, my despair 
changed to quiet resignation. A slight consolation lay in the 
thought that in this hour so many people were visited with 
far harder misfortune than I. In all that I had passed 
through, I could yet consider myself at least fortunate, in 
having saved my life, the valuables secreted about my person, 
and the papers still left in the satchels, for whose farther 
security I, of course, had reason to fear. 

With the little that was left me, I arrived safe at the house 
of the McCullys, but in an exhausted and depressed state. 
The poor family were, in view of the important events, of 
the danger in which they were involved, but which they had 
had so far escaped, in great alarm, and they greeted my ap- 
pearance with joy. The husband, disabled in body and mind, 
sat buried in silent brooding ; an aged grandmother lay sick 
in bed, and the recent frightful occurrences were very carefully 
concealed from her ; and with great diflBculty I made them 
take measures for the collecting and temporarily securing their 
most valuable objects, in order that in the event of a sudden 
attack, or of the fire getting there, they might be ready for 
flight, and for taking with them the most valuable of their 
possessions . 

These good people had had the good luck to find among 
the soldiers who had quartered themselves in the house a 



22 THE DESTRUCTION OF COLUMBIA, 8. C. 

brave, educated young man, who was not only entirely 
respectful and amiable towards the inmates, but defended 
them, as well as their property against the vile thieves who 
forced themselves in. As a matter of course the man stood 
quite alone among his comrades in the strength of his char- 
acter and virtue ; he defied them as well as his superior oflScers, 
in their repeated attempts to rob and set fire to the house, until 
his strength no longer held out against the rude violence. 
He denounced the conduct of his comrades as vile, shameful ; 
he deplored that so many good-for-nothing scoundrels, consist- 
ing mostly of Europeans (Irish and Dutch) were among them; 
he protested, however, that the horrible deeds were committed 
against the orders of the highest authorities. 

The flames were now raging in this part of the city, at 
first more protected, after the houses which promised to yield 
booty were robbed and destroyed. The rush of the valiant 
men became stronger and stronger, and in a short time our 
brave defender was unable to drive back the highway robbers 
storming the doors and windows. All obstacles were broken 
down ; what was useful was carried off ; what was useless to 
them destroyed, and with a few possessions only was I able, 
in company with the poor unfortunate creatures, to get out of 
the house. Already the flames were pouring out of the win- 
dows. It was a matter of great difiiculty to save the old 
grandmother, who escaped death by fire by a hair's breadth, 
and was carried out by two negroes who were kind enough to 
lend a helping hand. I caught one of the noble heroes by the 
throat at the moment when he was about to set fire to the bed 
on which the old lady lay, because I had run thither at her 
shriek of horror and stopped, just at the right time, this fear- 
ful murder. In the struggle, which in view of this incredible 
crime I did not fear, in the exchange of words which was 
inevitable, I found out, to my horror, that the beast was a 
German who could not even speak English. Such a son then 
has our good Fatherland sent for the extirpation of Slavery, 
but in realty for robbery and murder. And alas, he was not 
the only one of his race among them who practised such 
shameful deeds. 

It was the favorite plan of the scoundrels, when they had 
thoroughly plundered the house, to set fire to the beds. By 



Lire 



THE DESTRUCTION OF COLUMBIA, S. C. 23 

that means their object was best accomplished ; the fire spread 
surely and quickly, and the rogues had no reason to fear that 
a single thing would be spared. 

And so again burnt out, again without shelter, I left with 
the family of the McCullys, whose house was now on fire too, 
in several places, lighting for its inhabitants of many years 
their sorrowful, homeless way. But whither should we betake 
ourselves ? There was no longer any great room for choice ; 
only comparatively few houses were left uninjured, and these 
too, in all probability, would be visited with the same horrible 
fate. I determined yet once more to seek safety, and go to 
my friends, the Gronings, for shelter. The Arsenal Hill was as 
yet wrapped in deep darkness, and thither the band of incen- 
diaries had not yet forced their way, or had found the houses 
there, which were mostly small and unpretentious, unworthy 
of their attention. And so my friends had still a home. A 
part of my fugitive companions — the old grandmother — the 
invalid father (both of whom a short time after this horrible 
night died from the effects of it, perhaps too of hunger), and 
besides two daughters found shelter with relations, in the close 
vicinity to my destination ; — the mother with two other 
daughters accompanied me to Groning's house, which we 
fortunately reached, but not without having lost on the way 
the greatest part of the property taken with us. 

I was finally stunned in the presence of repeated calami- 
ties, in the presence of the strokes of fate, which in the last 
hours, which seemed to me an eternity, had broken in upon 
me, and in the presence of the splendidly horrible sight of the 
sea of fire, which seen from the hill, spread out under me, out 
of which a wild confusion of voices arose. I thought now 
only of myself and the unfortunates committed to my protec- 
tion to whom, alas ! I had been able to afford so little help. 

And so one part of the family was temporarily sheltered, 
and I, with the others, was received at the house of our 
friends. They, in some unaccountable way, with the excep- 
tion of anxiety and terror, had received no injury — had been 
able to ward off the numerous visits of the intruders. In par- 
ticular, the energetic Mrs. Groning, a most amiable lady, 
knew how to repulse the cowardl}'' rabble by her fearless 
deportment, by her severe reproof, and by word-pictures of 



24 



THE DESTRUCTION OF COLUMBIA, 8. C. 



their damnable doings : she, herself a Northern woman, in the 
presence of the sleuth-hounds, renounced all connection with 
a people who employed such a rabble in their service, and her 
rapid, energetic way of talking produced a powerful effect 
upon those men, who had not expected such a reception, 
where in other cases they had met with only terror, trembling,, 
and entreaty. These negotiations, carried on through closed 
doors and windows, always ended with the departure of the 
robbers, who sought an easier field for their industry. 

It was in the early hours of the morning, when I reached 
my new asylum completely exhausted, and with my unfortu- 
nate companions was bidden welcome. My overstrained 
nerves refused any farther service, and I could no longer stand 
upright. Stretched out on the carpet of my chamber, I found 
a little rest that I needed so much, and forgot, for a while, the 
trials I had passed through, and those now surrounding me, 
but continually being roused by new disturbers of my peace, 
and expecting to be driven away again. 

The uninvited visits were all the time slackening, and at 
daybreak they ceased altogether. The contemptible creatures 
seemed at last to be content with the result of their devilish 
work — or they were tired out with the exertions of the night — 
or they themselves shuddered at the sight of the devastation 
they bad made, which the daylight brought to their view, or 
perhaps they were called to other service. Suf&ce it to say, 
we were no longer disturbed, the streets were cleared, and we 
breathed again ! It seemed really as if the kindly cottage had 
enjoyed singular good fortune to be preserved from the general 
destruction, and after all that had happened we were thankful 
for this favor of heaven, which had left to our good hosts their 
home and their property, and afforded to us a comfortable 
shelter at least, while so many unfortunates were obliged to 
do without this shelter, and that too in the most inclement 
season of the year. 

After I had recovered from the first shock, I realized my 
whole loss, and notwithstanding the considerable amount of 
it, recognized how well I had fared in comparison with many 
others — e .g., the McCully family robbed of everything, (I 
had saved my money, jewels, etc.) I went out to look after 
the other portion of that family and Mrs. Volger, who had 



THE DESTRUCTION OF COLUMBIA, S. C. 



25 



been separated from me iu the early part of the night, and find 
out what fate had befallen them. I found her fortunately- 
concealed in one of the places of refuge she had sought, and 
though she was hardly alive from terror, from the loss she had 
suffered, still a great blessing was vouchsafed to her too by an 
accident. 

These facts were, under the circumstances, almost tran- 
quilizing to myself and to the relations, and when I had 
brought them this news, I made an examination of the devas- 
tation of the last night. 



RESULTS OF THE DEVASTATION. 

The beautiful, peaceful city of Columbia was no more ! 
In one single night, yea, in a few hours, it had disappeared, 
and been converted into ruins ! Only a few houses on Arsenal 
Hill and in the farthest outskirts of the city remained stand- 
ing ; the whole of the interior portion was entirely destroyed. 
The spaces where yesterday streets intersected the city were 
no longer passable, and only in some places to be recognized 
"by the walls still standing. Everything else was a great heap 
of ruins, out of which rose a smoke, poisoning the air. With 
renewed horror, with disgust and hate for the perpetrators and 
the permitters of these outrages, I gazed at ruins of the place 
which had become so dear to me, which now in its new and 
horrifying aspect was no longer recognizable. My ofiice, too, 
with its contents, my dwelling place, and so many homes, at 
which I had spent many pleasant hours, lay buried under the 
ruins ! 

And the men who yesterday were without foreboding, and 
the inmates of these former houses ! A great many of them 
had been lost in the tempest of fire, and were now laying 
accusation against their murderers before the throne of the 
Most High. The bodies of those who had perished in the 
flames were some time afterwards found, removed from the 
mountains of rubbish and buried. 

And the survivors? Whither had terror and distress 
■driven them ? Those who had not been so fortunate, as I had 



26 THE DESTRUCTION OF COLUMBIA, 8. C. 

been, to find shelter among friends (and comparatively few 
could be taken in by those whose houses were spared), had 
been driven by despair into the woods ; and now imagine such 
a situation — how many thousands of human beings, of all ages 
and conditions, white and black, wandering the forest in the 
dark night, seeing no possibility of protecting themselves 
against the cold wind, of feeding and clothing themselves, 
since they have saved nothing but their bare lives ! How 
families were separated, mothers and children calling for each 
other, neither knowing whether their loved ones were in 
safety, or had fallen a sacrifice to the dreadful fire ! 

Yes, dear reader, that is an awful picture — it sounds 
incredible, seems an exaggeration ; but so it was in reality, in 
our age of the world, in a civilized land ; and caused by those, 
who out of pure philanthropy (?) wished to procure for the 
slaves glorious freedom, and to that end employed such means 
as placed their wards themselves, along with their masters, 
who were hated by the so-called liberators, but loved by the 
slaves, in boundless misery. 

The fall of Columbia stands quite unique in the history of 
the American war, but it was sufficient to sully the principle, 
the conduct, and the results of it, and must for many genera- 
tions entail the hate of the South Carolinians towards their 
Northern brethren, who brought upon their forefathers such 
atrocious treatment. 

I give my opinion with entire impartiality, in accordance 
with my own experiences, and from personal observation of 
the frightful scenes and I doubt not, that any one who will 
calmly consider the matter, will agree with me in my judg- 
ment of the shameful conduct of the army of the United States, 
even though the foregoing description may have imperfectly 
pictured the horrifying experiences and boundless wretched- 
ness resulting therefrom. 

And the slaves for whose sakes this bloody war was 
waged, whom they wished to free from the intolerable yoke 
of their oppressors. Now the victors troubled themselves not 
a single moment about them ; they had endured the same fate 
as the whites, suffered like losses and privations. They 
remained faithful to their masters, who shared with them their 
last piece of bread, without being under the least obligation to 



THE DESTRUCTION OF COLUMBIA, S. C. 



27 



do so. How much assistance will, I am sure, at this time 
(1879) be granted to the negroes by their former masters, 
without which they must perish, and which was not extended 
to them at that time by their liberators, by the champions of a 
principle which was at least commendable. Accordingly these 
champions deliberately abandoned \he\x p?-otSges to the misery, 
to which they had condemned them, left them to pine, as before, 
in the slavery from which they had coine to save them. Their 
oppressors, on the contrary, from feelings of humanity, cared 
for them, that in their condition of freedom they might not 
starve to death. 

And the noble warriors for freedom and the rights of 
man — the robbers, thieves, and incendiaries ? They had to-day 
left the scene of their shameful conduct, and spread themselves 
for the most part over the surrounding country, there to seek 
booty in cattle and provisions, to lay waste the land, and 
above all to destroy the railroads for a distance of many miles. 
Only a comparatively few were left behind as a garrison for 
the place and guard of headquarters. The robbing and burn- 
ing of the few remaining houses had ceased, as I suppose, by 
the strict orders of the commanding officers, in whom, in view 
of the existing devastation, a little compassion might have 
been awakened, and who now were in a position to maintain 
discipline. 

There was, however, all the time a considerable number 
of disgusting figures, who still lingered in the place once 
called Columbia, who were busily engaged in rummaging the 
piles of debris, and seeking for the melted gold and silver ; 
likewise in digging up the ground in the gardens and yards of 
the few remaining houses, to find the treasures which were 
possibly there hidden. They were in this work amply reward- 
ed, and the booty, which was afterwards carried away by them, 
consisting principally of gold and silver, and objects of value 
requiring little room, must have been enormous, as an entire 
train of transport wagons was filled with them. 

I have thus attempted to describe how these men became 
possessed of the stolen property, how the city was destroyed 
contrary to the custom of all civilized nations, how the peace- 
ful inhabitants were robbed of their property, reduced to 
poverty and suffering, nay, even murdered, just as I was forced 



^8 TH?1 DESTRUCTION OF COLUMBIA, S. C. 

to live through these deeds and observe the consequences. 
But even more horrifying accounts of individual cases, which 
I did not see, afterwards came into publicity. It was not alone 
that the band of robbers demanded the surrender of money, 
watches, and valuables ; no, — they did not take time for that ; 
in many instances they possessed themselves of such articles 
by force ; the breastpins were snatched from the breasts of 
ladies, the rings from their fingers, and the earrings from their 
ears ; they did not restrain themselves till the opening of the 
jewel cases, but lacerated the ears and tore off the clothing 
from the bodies of the trembling women. I have myself seen 
a lady with the lobes of both ears torn asunder. What out- 
rages in word and deed the female sex in many cases had to 
suffer, I will here only hint. 

I draw a veil over the horrible past, which would seem 
to me a bad dream, if it had not wrought its lasting effect upon 
my future ; and if I am in the fortunate condition to be obliged 
only once, and for a short time, to lift the veil, in order to 
impress those moments on my remembrance in my description, 
the greatest part of my fellow sufferers were not, and perhaps 
not even now are, in the condition to cover up with other 
thoughts that night of horror, or to escape its consequences. 

After the first excitement had somewhat subsided, and 
there M'"as calmness enough to reflect upon the state of affairs, 
anxiety for the future began to press upon me and to put me 
in embarrassment in regard to taking the necessary steps. It 
seemed, in the first place, incumbent upon me to give my 
chief information of the disaster, and get from him new 
instructions ; then also to inform our correspondent in Liver- 
pool of the robbery of the drafts drawn upon him, and stop 
the payment of them ; furthermore, I wished to gain certain 
knowledge of the place of retreat of our bookkeeper with the 
books of the company, and finally to leave a place in which I 
was now only a burden. 

I had no idea how an escape from the place, or inter- 
course with the outside world might be effected, or whether 
the Unionists would establish a post here ; and on that point I 
desired first to inform myself of their intentions. I went to 
the headquarters, which were established in one of the remain- 
ing houses, partly to get information about the future of the 



TEE DESTRUCTION OF COLUMBIA, S. C. 



29. 



ruined city, partly to lay complaint about the treatment to 
which I had been subjected, and perhaps be indemnified for 
my losses. I did not dare, of course, to let the Union ofl&cers 
know of my participation in the business of blockade-running, 
because I would have been regarded and treated as an open 
enemy of the United States ; I could appear only as the Consul 
of Hanover, if I wished to accomplish anything. 

I was politely received by General Howard, the next in 
command under Sherman, who had formerly been a clergy- 
man, had in the Mexican war lost an arm, and who subse- 
quently farther distinguished himself in the Indian war ; and 
my complaint as to the treatment which I had received, as the 
Consul of a neutral nation, as to the losses, and the robbery of 
the papers belonging to the Consulate and all of my private 
property was patiently listened to. The General expressed his 
regret at the occurrences of the night before and at my passive 
participation therein, and declared to me, that if T would point 
out the regiment to which the Captain who had robbed me 
belonged, he would find him out and have him shot before my 
eyes. Unfortunately I could not comply with his request, and 
perhaps the scoundrel enjoys even at this moment his miser- 
able existence. What indeed was the guilt of one single indi- 
vidual in comparison with the innumerable and far greater 
crimes of many thousands? 

I do not know whether the expressed sympathy of the 
General was only pretended, or really sincere ; it made, how- 
ever, an agreeable impression upon me, and though I could 
secure no indemnification for, or replacement of my losses — a 
result which from the very beginning I had not ventured to 
hope for — yet one proposition of the General seemed to me 
acceptable. He informed me frankly that the army would 
leave its present position in a few days, and that no garrison 
would be left behind ; that it would march forward in a north- 
easterly direction, and would probably, in from eight to four- 
teen days arrive at a seaport ; that, if I wished to avail 
myself of the opportunity of reaching that point in safety, in 
order from there to embark for the North or Europe, I might 
partake of all the comforts and privations of himself and his 
staff, which I was invited to join ; in return for which I would, 
perhaps, be expected to do some clerical work. 



30 



THE DESTRUCTION OF COLUMBIA, 8. C. 



This invitation was by no means to be rejected, and while 
I cherished au unextinguishable hate towards the band of 
robbers, yet I would not be disturbed by, had nothing to fear 
from them, on account of my belonging to the staff, which 
was, doubtless, composed of respectable men. I, therefore, 
accepted the proposal provisionally, and had me a pass made 
out to that effect. 

Upon closer consideration, however, I renounced this 
alluring opportunity. If by this means I should reach North- 
ern territory, I would be able, undoubtedly, to send to England 
by the quickest, most convenient, and safest way, the informa- 
tion which seemed to me very necessary to be sent or even to 
reach my home, for I had also formed this plan, because the 
business was broken up and no longer needed me. But on the 
other hand, by this course the Confederate territory would be 
closed to me, and if Charleston still belonged to it, it would 
be impossible for me to get to that city or to my chief, who I 
supposed was there, to give him information of my misfortunes. 
I felt it to be needful for me before everything else, to speak 
with him, to lay before him a full account of my last experi- 
ences and of the loss sustained. I would not have liked, for 
any consideration, to have been brought before him in sus= 
picion that I had only pretended a robbery — that I, perhaps, 
had embezzled something, or, generally speaking, that I had 
neglected my duty in any respect. This explanation would 
not be at all diflBcult in a personal description of the events ; 
afterwards, I could, with his consent, with a clear conscience 
pursue my design of seeking my dear home, to which I was 
now drawn with redoubled longing. Therefore, I determined 
to remain here and wait for a suitable opportunity by which 
the accomplishment of my desire might be effected. 

On the 2oth of February Sherman's army left Columbia, 
if one will apply that term to the heap of ruins, after having 
the day before, by order of the commanding general, blown 
up the arsenal which had been up to this time spared. In that 
act there was no cruelty, inasmuch as that building was public 
property, for the destruction of which the right belonged to 
the victorious enemy. The soldiers continued to be well- 
behaved, and made no further attacks upon persons and upon 



THE DESTRUCTION OF COLUMBIA, 8. C. 



31 



the property that was still left, but confined themselves to the 
before-mentioned digging in the ground. 

The departure of the troops attracted little attention, and 
made little impression upon those who were left behind them. 
After the entire deliverance from them, the people could for 
the first time clearly think about their real needs, and devise 
possibly new measures for their removal. I saw the heroes 
march away, who had in this campaign gathered withered, 
malodorous laurels — the victorious army which had certainly 
contributed very much to the subjugation of the South, to the 
finishing of the war, and to the accomplishment of an object 
noble in principle. But without considering the great blood- 
shed, the utter misery in which the land was placed, from 
which it can not even to-day revive, the means employed were 
in the highest degree objectionable. ' ' Hail ! Columbia, Happy 
Land," the national hymn of the United States, sounded like 
mockery from the departing troops to the city of Columbia, 
totally destroyed by them, and it was a relief to every spirit, 
however depressed, when the blue forms and their endless 
train of wagons disappeared in the distance, although they 
had now nothing more to fear from them. 

As for me, let them go on farther in their victorious 
march, in which I came near taking a passive part, and would 
have been by that means probably saved much trouble. After 
some time the news reached us that the army, without having 
met with any resistance, had subdued the whole region through 
which they passed, Wilmington, and the seacoast of North 
Carolina, and thereby, with similar success on the part of the 
other Northern armies, subjugated the South and again incor- 
porated the Confederate States in the Union. 



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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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